Twitter explodes as Ben Stokes gets sold as the highest paid overseas player for 12.5 crores

It was an action-packed morning here at the IPL Auctions being held at Bengaluru over the next two days.  With the IPL entering a new decade, it implied a new beginning wiping the slate clean and starting afresh. Barring the players who have been retained, every other player has gone into the auction and that has taken the pool to 578 players with 36 marquee players – 13 Indians and 23 international players – with a base price of Rs 2 crore.

Last year’s highest-paid overseas cricketer Ben Stokes, was a major attraction of the first round of marquee players. Stokes, who played for the Supergiants outfit last time, witnessed a hell for leather bidding war, of which Rajasthan Royals emerged winners. The inaugural IPL champions acquired the service of the English all-rounder for a whopping 12.5 crores.

In the first round of the auctions itself, RR acquired two marques players, Stokes along with batting dynamo Ajinkya Rahane. The franchise exercised their RTM option to retain Rahane, in a bid to bolster their squad to win the coveted title.

New journey for the comeback champions

The Rajasthan Royals franchise will embark on a fresh new journey as they gear themselves up for the upcoming season. The inaugural champions who are making a return to the fray after serving a two-year ban will wish to forget their past horrors and start anew.

The England star, however, is impending charges for a bar brawl in Bristol last year, Thus, his availability for the tournament is something that RR needs to worry about. Nevertheless, Stokes’ addition will enrich the RR squad in every department. An iconic T20 player, the Englishman has a lot of experience under his belt and will bring in a new confidence and aura into the squad.

It was a big money signing by the RR franchise. And soon enough the hammer went down, Twitter exploded in awe of the signing. Here are some of the best Tweets.

So Steve Smith gets reunited with Ben Stokes at 12.5 cr at #RajasthanRoyals

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 27, 2018

Rajasthan have got it right with Rahane at a bargain and the all-rounder they invest in with Ben Stokes plus Smith the captain. Most impressive so far #IPLAuction

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 27, 2018

Rajasthan Royals bought Ben Stokes for 12.5 cr ! He will also work for Karni Sena on non-match days. #IPLAuction

— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) January 27, 2018

Rise and Shine @benstokes38 !!!

We’ve got a message for you. We know it’s winter in England, but someone did say #SummerIsComing ?#HallaBol #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/bTWBjCZniP

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 27, 2018

At this price, teams will be able to pay for Ben Stokes' fees as well as his bail. #IPLAuction

— cricBC (@cricBC) January 27, 2018

Steve Smith gets the services of Ben Stokes yet again! #IPLAuction

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 27, 2018

Ben Stokes sold to Rajasthan Royals. Under Steven Smith again. #WhatABuy indeed.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 27, 2018

And @benstokes38 is with the ROYALS!!!! We start the auction on a ?#IPLAuction #HallaBol

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 27, 2018

Ben Stokes sold for Rs 12.5 crores ! Itne mein to poori Bangladesh Team with fans aa jaate….#IPLAuction

— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) January 27, 2018

Ben Stokes bidding has started. This will go long, hard and high #IPLAuction

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) January 27, 2018

Ben Stokes in #IPLAuction

2017: 14.50 crores by RPS
2018: 12.50 crores by RR

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) January 27, 2018

Ben Stokes sold for Rs. 12.5 Crores.
That's more than enough to fight a case.#IPLAuction

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) January 27, 2018

Wow ! Ben Stokes is officially a royal .. RR will have to be a little conservative now.. 25 crores gone on two players.. VIVO #IPLauction

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) January 27, 2018

Whoever buys Ben Stokes, please keep him away from IPL after parties.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) January 27, 2018

Pic 1 : #BenStokes Before Auction!

Pic 2 : Ben Stokes After Auction!#IPLAuction#IPLAuction2018 pic.twitter.com/H2aaeei6af

— Anit Ghosh (@Indianit07) January 27, 2018

Pakistanis watching #IPLAuction be like…. #BenStokes #KXIP #SaturdayMotivation pic.twitter.com/rAD1M5IHgE

— Pandey G?? (@greataman22) January 27, 2018

Ben Stokes to Rajasthan Royals at 12.5 crore!
Now for British court to use Right to Match card. #IPLAuction

— Karthik Lakshmanan (@lk_karthik) January 27, 2018

Last year, #BenStokes sold for 14.5cr INR. This year 12.5cr.
Total lost of 2cr.

This is real data to prove that GDP declines under PM Modi's regime ~ @ArvindKejriwal #IPLAuction

— Farrago Abdullah (@abdullah_0mar) January 27, 2018